Spoilers! These 'Masters of the Universe' cameos have fans freaking out

Brian Truitt, USA TODAYSat, June 6, 2026 at 2:15 PM UTC

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Spoiler alert! We're discussing important plot points and the ending of "Masters of the Universe" (in theaters now), so beware if you haven't seen it yet.

Travis Knight never grabbed a megaphone and shouted from the rooftops that he was a giant He-Man fan. But now everyone knows.

The director's action adventure "Masters of the Universe" reintroduces the 1980s toy and cartoon franchise for a new generation, with British actor Nicholas Galitzine starring as Adam, prince of Eternia, and his muscle-bound alter ego He-Man. It's an "unhinged" and "deranged" fantasy landscape of colorful characters and cool vehicles, Knight says, but also a "sublime" world that he's adored since he was a kid.

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Adam (Nicholas Galitzine, center) returns to save Eternia alongside friends Roboto (voiced by Kristen Wiig), Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), Teela (Camila Mendes) and Cringer in the action adventure "Masters of the Universe."

The movie follows Adam − who was sent to Earth for his safety as a 10-year-old − on a return trip to Eternia, where he finds new self-confidence in his quest to save his home from the evil Skeletor (Jared Leto). "We tapped into an emotional story that many people can relate to, even if they're not jacked intergalactic warrior princes," Knight says.

Let's dig into the fun cameos, surprise personalities and post-credit scenes in "Masters" that will excite old-school He-fans.

What happens in the ending of 'Masters of the Universe'?

Skeletor (Jared Leto) is given a beatdown from He-Man in the climax of "Masters of the Universe."

In the final epic confrontation in Castle Grayskull between Adam and Skeletor, the baddie tries to get into his head – belittling Adam at the gym and his HR job in dream sequences – but it doesn't work. Adam tries to talk some sense into him, but it's Skeletor and he's a megalomaniacal jerk, so as He-Man, Adam lays into him with all his magical might, leaving just his rival's skull head in defeat.

For most of the movie, the name "He-Man" is never used while monikers of other heroes, like Fisto and Ram Man, are explained as what young Adam called them as a kid. After Skeletor's defeat, Adam is asked what he called himself, and he reveals it was He-Man. Teela (Camila Mendes), Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba) and others give him grief for such a silly macho nickname.

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"Somebody called He-Man is absolutely ridiculous," Knight says. Yet it fits how "a child looks at the world. Of course, he's sheepish, and he's sort of embarrassed by all that, but then eventually embraces it, which I think is a lovely thing."

Do any original cast members appear from the 1987 'Masters of the Universe' movie?

Nicholas Galitzine (left) and Dolph Lundgren, He-Men new and old, pose at the world premiere of "Masters of the Universe."

Dolph Lundgren, the He-Man of that '80s film, has a quick cameo in a meta scene near in the beginning of the new movie as a guy at the gym. Adam is working out and, being "the new guy," asks the older man for advice. Lundgren's character has some sage words before saying goodbye: "Good journey, son," he says, echoing a catchphrase from the '87 movie.

Galitzine calls it "a very subtle, wholesome, passing-of-the-torch moment. I just honestly enjoyed picking his brain on set and asking him about his life. He is such a giving, generous person."

Are there any mid-credits scenes in the new He-Man film?

Yep! There are three. The first comes after the final scene, and it's a throwback to the signature life lessons that ended each episode of the '80s He-Man cartoon. The little wizard Orko pops up to explain that just having muscles doesn't always win the day and the guy with the skull for a face is usually a bad guy. Knight originally wanted to include Orko in the main story but "it became overpacked with stuff," he says. "That was the perfect place for him."

The second scene arrives after the first round of credits. Queen Marlena (Charlotte Riley) and Man-At-Arms have a convo about hoping "she" would return someday like Adam, hinting that he has a sister. Cut to an armored woman on horseback with her back to the camera. "Field Captain Adora?" a male voice asks. "Not anymore," says She-Ra, who like Orko is another fan-favorite character from Eternian lore (and had her own '80s cartoon). After "a complicated rights issue" arose, "it was a scramble to get it done," Knight reveals. "But I'm delighted that, at the very least, she's in the movie."

The final post-credits bit is at the very end. Skeletor's right-hand woman Evil-Lyn (Alison Brie) walks over, dusts off her boss' skull and quips, "I must say, you've looked better." Cut to black and one last cackle from Skeletor, hinting that he'll be back.

Is there a 'Masters of the Universe' sequel in the works?

Not yet but Knight is down for a return to Eternia. "I'm really proud of the movie," he says. "If that's all we ever get to do? I'm happy. But if people want to see more, and our corporate overlords decide that's a smart financial decision, I would love to tell more stories in this world."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Masters of the Universe' ending, post-credits, cameos explained

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